Nas (rapper) Biography: Net Worth, Age, Songs, Albums, Wife, Kids, Real Name, Height, Instagram

Biography

Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones on September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York, is a legendary American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur.

Raised in the Queensbridge housing projects, he is the son of jazz musician Olu Dara. Nas rose to prominence in the 1990s with his groundbreaking debut album, Illmatic (1994), widely regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of all time.

Renowned for his vivid storytelling and lyrical prowess, Nas has released 17 studio albums, selling over 25 million records worldwide. His catalogue includes iconic tracks like “If I Ruled the World” and “Ether,” which cemented his status as one of hip-hop’s most influential artists.

Beyond music, he has expanded into acting, publishing, and business, co-founding Mass Appeal Records and strategically investing in various industries.

American rapper and entrepreneur
Nas
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Stage Name:	Nas
Born:	14 September 1973 (age 51 years old)
Place of Birth:	Crown Heights, New York, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	N/A
Height:	173 cm
Parents:	Olu Dara, Fannie Ann Jones
Siblings:	Jungle
Spouse:	Kelis (m. 2005–2010)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Amy Winehouse, Karrine Steffans (2000), Ashanti (2018 – 2019), Nicki Minaj (2017), Antonique Smith (2011), Mary J. Blige (1996 – 1997), Carmen Bryan (1992 – 2001), Kym Whitley, Tracee Ellis Ross, K.D. Aubert
Children:	Destiny Jones, Knight Jones
Occupation:	Rapper • Entrepreneur
Net Worth:	$70 million-$100 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones on September 14, 1973, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, moved with his family shortly after birth to the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, Queens, where he spent his formative years.

Of African-American descent, Nas was raised in a household influenced by Islam—his name, “Nasir,” meaning “helper” or “protector” in Arabic, reflects his father’s embrace of Muslim culture. However, he has never publicly adhered to a single faith, instead weaving spiritual themes into his music without formal religious affiliation.

His parents played pivotal roles in shaping his early life. His father, Olu Dara (born Charles Jones III), a renowned jazz musician from Mississippi, exposed him to music from an early age. His mother, Fannie Ann Jones, worked as a postal service employee and was a grounding force in his life until she passed from breast cancer in 2002.

Nas has one younger brother, Jabari Fret Jones, known as the rapper Jungle. His parents’ separation when he was around nine left a lasting impact, an experience he later explored in his introspective lyrics.

Nas attended public schools in Queens but dropped out in the eighth grade at age 13 following his parents’ split. Uninspired by formal education, he turned to self-learning, immersing himself in African history, the Bible, and the Quran.

The streets of Queensbridge became his classroom and music his outlet. Initially experimenting with the trumpet under his father’s influence, he soon gravitated toward hip-hop, honing his lyrical skills on street corners while drawing inspiration from artists like Rakim and Kool G Rap.

Career

Nas made his breakthrough in 1991 with a standout guest verse on Main Source’s Live at the Barbeque, displaying his lyrical brilliance at just 17. His debut album, Illmatic (1994), released under Columbia Records, became a cornerstone of hip-hop, praised for its vivid storytelling and minimalist production from legends like Pete Rock and Q-Tip.

Featuring classics like “N.Y. State of Mind” and “The World Is Yours,” the album received critical acclaim and later achieved platinum status. Though its initial sales were modest, Illmatic grew in influence over time, solidifying Nas as an East Coast rap prodigy.

His follow-up, It Was Written (1996), embraced a more polished sound and mainstream appeal, propelled by the Lauryn Hill-assisted hit “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That).” Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, it went multi-platinum, though some criticized its commercial direction.

Nas continued evolving with albums like I Am… (1999) and Stillmatic (2001), the latter reasserting his street credibility with “Ether,” a blistering diss track aimed at Jay-Z during their infamous feud. This era reaffirmed his status as one of hip-hop’s most formidable lyricists.

Throughout the 2000s, Nas remained a force, releasing God’s Son (2002), a deeply personal project inspired by his mother’s passing, and Street’s Disciple (2004). His 2006 album, Hip Hop Is Dead, ignited debate about the genre’s evolution, while Untitled (2008) tackled racial and political themes with bold intent. After signing with Def Jam in 2006, he expanded his artistry, collaborating with Damian Marley on Distant Relatives (2010), which fused hip-hop and reggae influences.

In the 2020s, Nas revitalized his career with the King’s Disease trilogy (2020–2022), produced by Hit-Boy. The first instalment earned him his first Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2021, proving his enduring relevance. His influence remains undeniable across 17 studio albums and over 25 million records sold.

Beyond music, Nas has built a diverse portfolio, starring in films like Belly (1998), co-founding Mass Appeal Records in 2014, and investing in startups through Queensbridge Venture Partners. With recent releases like Magic 3 (2023), he continues to balance legacy with innovation, solidifying his place as a hip-hop icon.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Nas
• Instagram: Nasir Jones (@nas)
• Twitter: Nasir Jones (@Nas) / X
• IMDb: Nas
• YouTube: Nas

Personal Life

Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones on September 14, 1973, is 51 years old. He was married once to Kelis Rogers, an American singer and chef, whom he wed on January 8, 2005, in Atlanta, Georgia, after meeting in 2002.

Their high-profile union ended when Kelis filed for divorce in April 2009, citing irreconcilable differences, while pregnant with their son. The divorce was finalized in May 2010, marked by a contentious legal battle. Nas has not remarried since.

Nas has two children. His daughter, Destiny Jones, born June 15, 1994, comes from his long-term relationship with Carmen Bryan (1992–2001), a significant early romance that shaped his life. Destiny, now an entrepreneur, featured on his Life Is Good (2012) album cover. Nas‘ son, Knight Jones, born July 21, 2009, is with Kelis, arriving amid their split. Nas remains involved with both children.

Standing at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm), Nas’ lean build complements his introspective artistry.

After Carmen, Nas dated Mary J. Blige (1996–1997), a bond often framed as platonic despite romantic speculation. In 2000, he had a brief encounter with Karrine Steffans, later detailed in her memoir. Rumours swirled of a hookup with Amy Winehouse, fueled by mutual admiration, though unconfirmed.

In 2011, he was linked to actress Antonique Smith, a short-lived connection. High-profile flings followed with Tracee Ellis Ross and K.D. Aubert, though details are scarce, and comedian Kym Whitley also entered his orbit briefly.

In 2017, Nas dated Nicki Minaj, a Queens-native pairing that sparked buzz after a public dinner lasting months. From 2018–2019, he was with Ashanti, another R&B star, though both kept it low-key.

As of recent reports, Nas appears unattached, prioritizing career and family over publicized romance.

Net Worth

Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, has an estimated net worth of approximately $70 million, though some projections suggest it could reach $100 million by year-end due to his savvy investments.

The hip-hop legend amassed much of his wealth through a prolific music career, selling over 25 million records with iconic albums like Illmatic and It Was Written.

Beyond music, Nas has significantly boosted his fortune as a co-founder of Queensbridge Venture Partners, with lucrative stakes in tech giants like Coinbase, Dropbox, Lyft, and Ring—the latter yielding a reported $40 million from Amazon’s 2018 acquisition.

Additional ventures, such as his partnership in Sweet Chick restaurants and real estate holdings, including a $3.5 million Calabasas property, further contribute to his financial success, reflecting his blend of artistic legacy and entrepreneurial acumen.

Discography

Studio Albums

1. Illmatic – April 19, 1994
   • Debut album, widely regarded as a hip-hop classic.
2. It Was Written – July 2, 1996
   • Featured hits like “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That).”
3. I Am… – April 6, 1999
   • Originally planned as a double album, adjusted after leaks.
4. Nastradamus – November 23, 1999
   • Rushed release following I Am…, mixed reception.
5. Stillmatic – December 18, 2001
   • Marked a comeback with tracks like “Ether.”
6. God’s Son – December 13, 2002
   • Inspired by his mother’s passing, introspective tone.
7. Street’s Disciple – November 30, 2004
   • Double album exploring diverse themes.
8. Hip Hop Is Dead – December 19, 2006
   • Provocative title sparking industry debate.
9. Untitled (often referred to as Ngger*) – July 15, 2008
   • Tackled racial and social issues, controversial title altered.
10. Life Is Good – July 13, 2012
    • Reflective album post-divorce, critically acclaimed.
11. Nasir – June 15, 2018
    • Produced by Kanye West, part of his Wyoming sessions.
12. King’s Disease – August 21, 2020
    • Grammy-winning album, first in collaboration with Hit-Boy.
13. King’s Disease II – August 6, 2021
    • Continued Hit-Boy partnership, commercial success.
14. Magic – December 24, 2021
    • Surprise release, praised for concise brilliance.
15. King’s Disease III – November 11, 2022
    • Third in the series, lauded as a trilogy capstone.
16. Magic 2 – July 21, 2023
    • Sequel to Magic, featuring 50 Cent and 21 Savage.
17. Magic 3 – September 14, 2023
    • Released on his 50th birthday, closing the Hit-Boy era.

Collaborative Album

1. Distant Relatives (with Damian Marley) – May 18, 2010
   • Fusion of hip-hop and reggae, socially conscious themes.